India to help Oman with its space programme

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an agreement between India and Oman for cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space to help build the Arab country's space programme, an official statement said.

The MoU is for cooperation in areas like space science, technology, and applications including remote sensing of the earth, satellite-based navigation, planetary exploration, and use of spacecraft, and space and ground systems.

Signed between Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and Oman's Ministry of Transport and Communications in Muscat in February, the MoU will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities.

A four-member delegation from Oman's Department of Communication visited ISRO in March 2011 and expressed its interest for collaboration to build its space programme. In May 2016, Oman conveyed its interest to cooperate on space applications with ISRO.

The Cabinet said the agreement, for which a Joint Working Group with members from ISRO and MTC will be set up, will help develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for benefit of humanity.